ACDelco's updated air conditioning system seminar, Emerging A/C Technology and Service (S-AC07-03.01SEM), provides an overview of the latest issues affecting current and future A/C system service.
A/C systems have changed dramatically over the past years, becoming smaller, increasingly efficient and more complex. Refrigerant capacity, for example, has dropped from nearly four pounds of refrigerant in older R-12 systems to 16 ounces or less on newer R-134a systems. A very small leak can significantly reduce performance or cause noise in a modern A/C system.
In the seminar, technicians will learn about:
• Various A/C systems and their operation and service
• Scan tools, Service Programming and CAN data and how they involve A/C diagnostics and repair
• Various service items such as oil balancing, flushing, filters, line repair, dyes and leak detection
• Various sealants and their affect on the A/C system
• New SAE regulations for leak detection, refrigerant purity and R/R/R machines
• Clutchless and high voltage hybrid compressors
• Possible future refrigerants and their systems, such as R-152a, R744 (CO2) and HFO-1234YF
Virtual Networks
Vehicle networks and programming have grown to control a variety of A/C system operation, taking information sharing of the climate control system as well as other vehicle systems to a higher level of communication. In the seminar, the use of a virtual network in modern vehicle communication systems is covered.
A virtual network is supported by virtual devices, which represents a collection of signals owned by a single physical device (control module). A virtual network is triggered by activated switches, such as an A/C request or a change in a sensor. The benefit of a virtual network is a reduction in power consumption because control modules are only powered when a provided functionality is required. (Fig. 3)
Fig. 3
New Regulations
The seminar also covers a number of emerging topics that are making news in the A/C industry. This includes the following new SAE regulations:
• J2788 Standards for Recovery/Recycle/Recharge machines
• J2810 Standards for recovery only machines
• J2670 A/C Additives
• J2791 Enhanced Leak Detection
• J2776 Purity Standards for R134a
A/C refrigerants discussed in the seminar include several new refrigerants that are potential replacements for R-134a. R-134a has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1410. Worldwide efforts to reduce greenhouse gases have led to an agreement that any replacement refrigerant must have a GWP of 150 or less. Currently, the EPA does not identify any replacement refrigerant for R-134a systems and has not evaluated any alternative refrigerants.
Learn More
For more information about ACDelco training courses on A/C systems and other systems and components available at training centers and online, go to www.acdelcotechconnect.com and click on the Training tab.
Contact your local ACDelco distributor to learn when the Emerging A/C Technology and Service seminar and other seminars will be held in your area.
- Thanks to Mike Militello
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